The California Shared Parenting Alliance (CSPA) is a group of mental health professionals, family law practitioners and concerned parents who believe that children’s need for frequent and meaningful contact with both parents after a divorce is paramount.

CSPA was organized for the purpose of passing AB 1307, a bill which will clarify California law and create a clear presumption that parents equally share in the responsibility of joint custody of their children unless there is clear evidence that it would not be in the children’s best interest.  

While California is more progressive than most states in its understanding of children's rights, in many California divorces children still see one of the two people they love most in the world pushed to the margins of their lives. AB 1307 protects children's relationship with both parents by making it clear that parents come before the family law court with equal rights to and responsibilities for their children.

The current system creates unnecessary litigation and added conflict between parents as they jockey to position themselves in the most favorable light for the court. By equally respecting the bonds children share with each of their parents, AB 1307 encourages co-parenting and cooperation between divorced couples.

CSPA recognizes that there are some situations where joint custody is harmful to children, such as in cases which involve child abuse, domestic violence, substance abuse or other pathologies. CSPA also recognizes that there are some situations where equal physical time between parents is not appropriate, such as when one parent's job requires them to travel extensively or be  stationed far away from his or her children.

Research clearly establishes that shared custody creates better outcomes for children emotionally, educationally, and financially. CSPA believes that in most cases children's interests are best served when their rights to have a relationship with both parents is protected.